In vitro predatory activity of nematophagous fungi and after passing through gastrointestinal tract of equine on infective larvae of Strongyloides westeri

Three isolates of predator fungi Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001), Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34), and Arthrobotrys robusta (I-31) were assessed in in vitro test regarding the capacity of prey infective larvae (L₃) Strongyloides westeri. Compared to control, without fungus, there was a significant decrease (P 0.01) in vitro test. Linear regression coefficients of treated and control groups were −0.21 for control, −0.32 for D. flagrans, −0.34 for M. thaumasium, and −0.22 for A. robusta. In the following, isolates AC001 and NF34 were assessed in vivo regarding the capacity of supporting the passage through equine gastrointestinal tract without loss of ability of preying infective larvae S. westeri. Fungal isolates survived the passage and were efficient in preying L₃ since the first 12 h of collection (P